World Cup 2022 - Team and Match Discussion

Funny when you’d think of him as error prone. I can’t remember the match now. But it was one where he went flying out of his goal- fumbled the ball - dropped it and regathered it.

I have got to say England's strategy was a continuation of what they were doing in the Euros last year.

A striker would go bombing hell for leather into the box, Sterling a year ago in the Euro's, Kane and Saka this time around, begging to get brought down. Like an elephant in a china shop.

More often than not it worked. Penalties under dodgy pretences.

France deserved it on the day because they scored two straight honest to goodness goals.

Never happier that England are out, but France were very lucky.

Not sure what type of game they were playing. The best player in the world wasn't in the game. Their defence was incredibly rash. Could have cost them more than it did. Their manager is far too Conservative too. After the 1st, they stopped playing. Only starting up again when it went to 1 1.

I think if England had got to 2 2 , I know where my money would have gone.

They should probably be hot favs after the semi lineup was decided, but watching them yesterday I wouldn't be so sure.

This narrative emerging that England are in wonderful shape, Saturday proved that Southgate is doing a good job, that it maybe should be up to him if he leaves, and that the loss was heroic is mind boggling.

They lost to a team they should have beaten.  Let’s get this absolutely straight.

France were missing a host of players.

Mbappe being quiet is apparently a victory to some over there.  England basically sat 2, and sometimes 3 people on him at any one time, sacrificing space to Griezmann, who is essentially the main reason France won.  It was naive management.  He rolled the dice that a world class player (Griezmann) wasn’t as much of a threat as Mbappe, and he got killed.

England created little of actual note.  France has the 3 best chances, scored one of them, and Tchouameni had the class to finish his half chance.

I’ve read that Lloris was one of France’s men of the match.  I honestly don’t remember him doing much at all.  He caught balls coming into the box.  He saved a volley he should have from Bellingham. 

Southgate essentially ignored Rashford, who had been England’s best attacker bar Saka during this World Cup.  He ignored Maddison completely, despite him being arguably the Premier League’s form player.  He didn’t play Grealish for even 90 minutes over the tournament.

The management of the team was, as ever with Southgate, extremely questionable.  

Maguire looked good because he’s a perfect CB for a conservative coach.  If you protect him with midfielders and tuck in your full backs, he looks great.  Ask him to do a thing on his own - balls fly over his head, and he can’t keep pace with attackers, or track runs.

Every question that was there about Southgate and the team before that tournament was magnified in the one game they had against an elite nation, as usual.  Sure, they were crap against the US.  The benefit of the doubt he gets because he’s a nice lad is one of the great mysteries of the football era we’re living in.

But sure, it’ll be funny to see him take them to the Euros, and they fail in their first big test again.

They played fine, but this notion that the match represented an heroic loss, or that Southgate proved his doubters wrong, irritates me.

Just for those who thing that England were unlucky. They were. I don't think you can criticise Southgate for Kane missing a penalty.

I heard a 25 minute debate on 505 about who else should have taken the spotter. Someone shut them up quickly enough when he said

"Imagine this scenario. Someone else takes the penalty, and misses." Guess what the narrative is for the next 10 years.

Statistically, England lorded it, and were about 9 feet away from extra time.

If it was once I would say ya it's down to luck.

But this is 3 times now they couldn't put away a side that they had on the ropes. Its not luck when there is such a clear pattern.

I have seen a list of the teams he has beat in major tournaments, and to be fair its not that impressive.

Often as soon as they meet a half decent side, they lose.

For all their great players at the minute England are missing a real bstard in defense or midfield. It all seems a little too soft and friendly. The no yellow cards (before France) thing is just weird

How many players were France missing? England still couldn't do the job.

Mentally soft, but I think that for this squad that is more down to management rather than the players.

England’s yips over penalties make winning a tournament a tall order.

They were close to being the best team in the tournament. I would say 2nd best easily. But a bit of dirt and cynicism would have helped against Greizmann in particular. A Van Bommel or Baresi would make that team unbeatable.

Modric wouldn't get near that England midfield. He would have been chewed up and spat out by them long ago, they'd have given up on him at 22, too small, not fast enough, the list goes on. Creative midfielders don't last well in the English system.

I see those and raise you a Ronald Koeman! Knocked England out of USA 94 singlehandedly.

Is Franco Baresi underrated... Is he not widely regarded as one of the best defenders of all time?

When I think of the great Milan team of the last eighties and early nineties, Baresi comes to mind straight away. A d they were one of the most famous football teams in the world ever. Milan retired his jersey number when he retired from playing. And they voted him Player of the 20th Century.

It would be great to see the little genius reach another World Cup final...best of luck to Luka Modric.

Croatian midfield has the edge imo but Argentina look like they have more threat in attack. I also don't see Croatia getting much luck with the decisions tonight. I'll say Argentina to win it but I hope not.

Foul on Sosa goes unpunished...hopefully not a sign of things to come.

Messi, whinger of the game so far.